Sen. Boren Leads Study on Oklahoma’s Energy Tax Framework
Oklahoma’s commitment to being an “all of the above” energy state took center stage at the state Capitol as Sen. Mary Boren (D-Norman) led a detailed interim study before the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. The focus: whether Oklahoma’s current energy tax structure equally supports its full energy mix, including oil, gas, wind, solar, hydrogen, and nuclear.
Boren emphasized collaboration across party lines, thanking Sen. Dave Rader (R-Tulsa), the committee chair, for supporting a bipartisan approach to assessing how tax incentives influence economic growth and workforce development in the energy sector.
“Oklahoma relies heavily on energy revenues to fund core services, and as our energy landscape evolves, our tax policies must evolve with it,” Boren said. “This study was about creating a fair and balanced tax environment that supports long-term workforce development and economic opportunity across all energy sectors.”
Comparative Insights and National Context
Experts from the Oklahoma Tax Commission presented detailed breakdowns of current energy-related revenue streams. They were joined by Sam Moore of Ducharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc., who compared Oklahoma’s tax model with those of other energy-producing states.
The panel also featured Jeff Ackermann, a researcher from Colorado State University’s Center for the New Energy Economy, who discussed how Oklahoma’s integrated approach positions it to compete nationally while maintaining economic stability.
“Our tax policies are generally on par with other states, but we have room to ensure that incentives yield measurable returns in job creation and economic resilience,” Boren added.
Balancing Incentives and Public Services
Boren cautioned lawmakers that tax incentives can reduce state revenue available for critical services such as education and infrastructure. She argued for accountability to ensure that every dollar spent through incentives brings tangible benefits to Oklahoma families and communities.
“If we’re reducing state revenue through tax breaks or rebates, we must be sure those policies deliver value back to Oklahomans in the form of job security and economic resilience,” she said.
The archived livestream of the September 30 interim study is available on the Oklahoma Senate website under “Live Proceedings.”
Source: Press Release
Edited for clarity by Oklahoma Energy Today
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